Artemis Racing won the fleet racing at the RC44 Virgin Gorda Cup, at the Yacht Club Smeralda in Virgin Gorda on Sunday November 29, 2015, with a four point margin over Peninsula Petroleum, having led from the outset of the four day regatta. Photo: Provided

But while this was close, the outcome of the 2015 RC44 Fleet Racing Championship was closer, only decided in the last seconds of the final race, followed by some intense mathematics and the breaking of a tie.

Torbjörn Törnqvist's Swedish team put in a late charge this season, posting four bullets this week to achieve their first RC44 victory since the Austria Cup in 2012.

“It wasn't the prettiest day for us, but we were very close to winning two races,” said Törnqvist. “We were leading the last race and then I don't know what happened! I'm very happy of course, needless to say.”

Recipe for success

Perhaps the reasons for Artemis Racing's success were down to Törnqvist having arrived a day before the regatta to train or new tactician Francesco Bruni making his mark. Törnqvist explained: “We have great sailors on board, and here it's been the small things. It has also come down to my helming - I was focussed a lot, which was a big difference this time.”

The 2015 Fleet Racing season for the one design 44 footers became a two horse race between Vladimir Prosikhin's Team Nika and Vladimir Liubomirov's Bronenosec Sailing Team. The two teams had either won or come second in the two previous events and, in the championship, Team Nika was one slender one point ahead of her rival going into the RC44 Virgin Gorda Cup.

On the final day of Races in the RC44 Virgin Gorda Cup, Bronenosec was lying third, one place ahead of Team Nika, but needed another boat to finish the regatta between her and Team Nika to win the Championship. Initially this seemed all but impossible, but in Sunday's first race, the two leaders, Artemis Racing and Peninsula Petroleum, finished last. This left Peninsula Petroleum still second but now only three points clear of Bronenosec. This margin narrowed further to two points going into the day's third and final race.

Ultimately Team Aqua and MAG Racing came home first and second respectively, but, importantly, Peninsula Petroleum was third, meaning she retained second in the regatta with Bronenosec Sailing Team and Team Nika still third and fourth.

On the championship leaderboard, this left Bronenosec Sailing Team and Team Nika tied at the top, but with Team Nika claiming the title – the tie split through her having scored a better result at the RC44 Cascais World Championship.

Celebration & Reflection

On returning to the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, Prosikhin was ecstatic: “I have been in the RC44 class for almost five years. It's been a gradual climb. Last time we were here I was last – my lowest point. So this really means a lot to me. I am very happy to win this season.”

Bronenosec Sailing Team leaves Virgin Gorda having won the rolling season's Match Racing Championship and on the same points as the Fleet Racing winner. “I am very happy my friend won,” said Liubomirov of his rival on the water. “But to have lost in a situation like this, in the last 30 seconds of the race, is very painful.”